I am new to whistling and just read the thread on Reyburn whistles, which talks a lot about different fingerings. When playing a regular D whistle, should I be using the “end” pads of my fingers or the pads between second and last joint? I have read a couple tutorials but they just say “pads” and do not specify which ones.
Use the end pads of your fingers. In the Reyburn thread they talk about Low Whistles which are a lot larger and require a different finger position for people to play them.
Thanks for the clarification (and for replying to the poor, lowly newbie)
We’re all newbies. 
Hi anam cara, Welcome to the fray!
As bloomie says - lot’s of newbies here - and a few very experienced “noobs” - all most helpful!
anam cara, glad to meet you! You won’t be lonely here 
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Oh really? 
When did that happen? That means I’m not a noobie anymore. Finally!
You, honey, are a noob. 
I am a relatively new player who recently switched to a modified pipers grip (meaning the fingers on my right hand cover the holes between the first and second joint and my left hand covers the holes with the pad at the end of the fingers) even with a high D whistle.
I did this to alleviate thumb soreness which has been my biggest challenge and it seems to be helping. Be very carefull that you resist the temptation to pinch the whistle with too much pressure. It should sit somewhat lightly between the fingers and the thumb.
I’m the genesis of your confusion with piper’s grip I fear. I was talking about Reyburns in that thread because that’s what the thread was about.
But as someone pointed out, all Low whistles require a grip modification of one kind or another - not just Reyburns.
You ask a good question. On a High D, most everyone plays with the finger pads - between the finger tips and the end joint.
Welcome, and have fun,
Thank you all very much for the warm welcome, and the advice on fingering!! 
It’s great to talk to people who are also afflicted with what I have begun to call “Obsession with the Whistle”!
Poor child. Wait until the Obsession becomes the WhOA.
WhOA???
Whistle Obsessive Acquisition disorder. aka compulsive whistle buying.
It’s annoying to our loved ones, but relatively harmless (until we go into foreclosure…)
Welcome, btw!
there is this, ah, web site that might explain a lot of things…
<==clicky
dang Dale…that’s cute!
That’s interesting…I’m already trying to decide what my next whistle will be. Guess I’m already afflicted.
I’m hoping to get a low D whistle this Christmastime. I play a D soprano whistle and I also play Uilleann pipes. Is the Low D fingering really like a pipes fingering? Or do I have to learn yet another kind of fingering?